small question about showering

16 years 7 months ago #7152 by n3qtrtme
Replied by n3qtrtme on topic small question about showering
To answer your second question, what meant the most to me when I got home was having my mom there to help fix my favorite meals, do laundry, flush catheters, clean out bags, and anything else that needed to be done. There is still no way to thank her for helping me so much while I was laid out on the couch trying to heal.

It took me a while to regain my mobility while dragging around those two bags. Moving wasn't the most comfortable exercise in the world. I did do a little walking out to the mailbox and back (about 150 yards one way) and went with mom to the grocery store and Wal-Mart, although I stayed in the car and waited for her (I was not carrying pee-bags into a store!). Driving around in the car was not real comfortable because of the bumps, but it helped prevent the stir-craziness. I learned to take it slow, let the body heal, and nap in the afternoons (although I have never been the napping type).

Getting the tubes removed in a few weeks is a momentus occasion and requires celebration. He'll finally be able to move normally and the dragging sensation of the tubes will be gone. Healing will still take a while longer, but it seems to go faster when you can move around normally. Don't stress, it'll all be over with before you know it!

Hope this helps!

Christine Springfield
T3/G3 - Squamous Cell/Transitional Cell Carcinomas
RC w/Studer Pouch 4/25/07

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16 years 7 months ago #7150 by n3qtrtme
Replied by n3qtrtme on topic small question about showering
I was able to shower when I got home, too. It was quite an exercise the first few times, but it gets easier as the healing continues. You may want to place the collection bags in a bin outside the shower while showering, since the water tended to run down the hoses when the water was raining down. :o I had difficulty showering in the hospital because my back was hurting so badly, but did manage sponge baths.

Take it easy and check with your doctor and see what he/she thinks.

Best of luck!

Christine Springfield
T3/G3 - Squamous Cell/Transitional Cell Carcinomas
RC w/Studer Pouch 4/25/07

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16 years 7 months ago #7149 by Zachary
Replied by Zachary on topic small question about showering

He'll be able to shower the day he gets home.

In fact, I was able to shower in the hospital. Carefully. Gingerly.

As always, ask your doctor to make sure.

Afterthought--I was very weak when I got home, and standing under the warmth of the shower just about made me faint. We had to get one of those plastic benches--plastic lawn furniture might work if you're on a budget--and that helped.

Another thought about fiber. For me, the most painful part of recovering from the surgery was the gas pains. They could be excruciating. Too much fiber can increase that, so adding it gradually worked best in my case.

"Standing on my Head"---my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein

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16 years 7 months ago #7147 by Stephany
small question about showering was created by Stephany
If he goes home with two tubes/drains, will he be able to shower? I told him it would be great to be home, and wouldn't a shower be great? And he said he didn't think he'd be able to shower for four weeks.

How about it....what did you all experience? And what was the first thing that really meant a lot to you at home?

Stephany in Iowa

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